International Professional Development Programs

Definitions

The International Affairs Office at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) define
International Professional Development Programs as university sponsored academic based
initiatives, which may encompass a variety of activities aimed at providing access
to graduate and professional students who wish to gain additional learning in another
country for the purpose of gaining a world perspective.

The following are the most common types of initiatives UIW considers as International
Professional Development Programs; however, other programs may be considered:

International Academic Internship

A credit-bearing or non-credit bearing, career-related work experience of limited
duration in which a student takes on responsible roles outside of the traditional
university environment in a partner university, non-profit organization, government
office or for-profit business outside the United States.

International Externship

A comprehensive program with an international partner, affiliate, non-profit organization,
government office, or third party outside the United States designated for graduate
students to gain professional training in various specialties.

International Professional Development Conference

A gathering comprised of formal meetings, discussions, educational and career development
activities located outside the United States for the purpose of improving and increasing
student’s capabilities.

International Symposium

A formal meeting comprised of discussions and activities in which experts discuss
a particular topic in a location outside the United States.

International Health Mission Program

Activities aimed at engaging students, researchers, and practitioners in the field
of health for the purpose of researching, training, and providing service that address
health problems that transcend national borders.

International Research

The exploration of issues, topics, and phenomena utilized to comprise and analyze
data and information for the purpose of answering questions and facilitate understanding
conducted in a location outside the United States.

International Independent Study

A credit bearing educational course implemented outside the United States by a student
with little to no faculty supervision.

International Residency Program

A period of advanced medical training, instruction, and education that normally follows
graduation from medical school and licensing to practice medicine and consists of
supervised practice of a specialty in a hospital and/or medical facility located outside
the United States.

Quick Points

To be eligible to participate in an International Development program you must:

be registered in a graduate or professional UIW program;

have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.4;

be in good academic standing.

Academic Qualifications

Students are required to be in good academic standing, with at least a cumulative
GPA of 2.4, and enrolled in a graduate or professional program. The supervisory dean
and/or academic advisor reserves the right to the review the participants (a) academic
records in the UIW Registrar’s Office and (b) disciplinary records in the office of
the Dean of Residence Life. The dean, academic advisor, and/or the supervising faculty
member may, at his or her absolute and sole discretion, revoke my participation in
the program at any point, either before the day of travel, at the point of departure,
or at any time during travel.

Process

Academic Protocol

Participants must visit with their academic advisor and/or supervisory dean in order
to apprise them of participation in an international development program. All participants
are required to obtain approval prior to making any academic and travel arrangements.

Assessment

One of the assessments utilized in international professional development programs
may include the students’ grades earned at the completion of the international program,
if it is part of a course. Students’ grades will help determine whether their academic
objectives and goals were accomplished. If the international professional development
program is not associated with a course, the student’s dean, academic advisor and/or
program director may assess whether the program’s objectives and goals have been achieved.

At the end of the program, all participants will be asked to submit an exit survey
in order to (1) capture important demographic information and (2) help assist the
University improve future programs. All surveys are confidential and results will
not be shared, distributed, and/or reported outside of University purposes.